Esther Jean (Moreland) Shannon, 92, of Smithville, MO passed away July 19, 2018.

She was born July 11, 1926 to Benjamin Franklin Moreland and Ella Christina (Weber)Moreland at home in Paradise, Mo. 

Jean(as she commonly known) is the youngest daughter in the family of eight siblings.  She had five older brothers,one older sister and one younger brother. Jean lived in Paradise, Mo and attended school there until the end of her sophomore year.  She transferred to Smithville High School in Smithville, Mo to complete her junior and senior year.  Jean was the 1944-1945 Homecoming Queen.   She graduated in May 1945.  During her high school years she worked at Saint Regis Paper Bag Factory in North Kansas City and at the Nellie Don Garment Factory.  

Jean was married to Robert Keith Shannon on September 7, 1945. They had three children, two daughters and a son:  Beth Ellen James, Kathy Jean Atkins and Michael Keith Shannon.  

Jean enjoyed family gatherings, joking with her brothers, and eating at her favorite restaurants with her husband, Keith.  The Cascone’s Italian Restaurant was a particular favorite for many years.  Later in life she enjoyed exercise class with the Silver Sneakers and playing board games with her friends at the Smithville Senior Center.

Jean was a member of the First Christian Church of Smithville and Beta Sigma Phi, Alpha Mu sorority.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Keith, February 1991; also, her granddaughter, Jennifer Lyn Shannon, September 1997, and her son-in-law, John Michael James, February 2015.  She is also preceded in death by her parents, B. F. and Ella Moreland;  six brothers, James Moreland, O.H. Moreland,Ben Moreland, Arley Moreland, Walter Moreland and Phil Moreland;  her sister, Ella Elizabeth ”Kit” Capper, onebrother-in-law, Richard Shannon and four sisters-in-law, Bettye  Shannon, Marlys Moreland, Betty Moreland and Beverly Moreland.

She is survived by her children, daughter Beth James, daughter Kathy Atkins and husband, Greg Atkins and son, Mike Shannon. She leaves seven grandchildren,Shawn Michael James, Patrick Keith James (Loydena), Christopher Keith Shannon(Lisa), Shannon Marie Lo Pizzo (Marc), Bryce Gregory Atkins (Rebecca), Brett Lynd Atkins and Michelle Lyn Shannon Atkins. She also leaves ten great-grandchildren: Madison James, Rhiannon James,Makenzie (Shannon) Carty, Makayla Shannon, Ember Atkins, Aubrey Atkins, Morgane Lo Pizzo, Vincent Lo Pizzo, Isaiah Atkins and Aurelia Atkins.  She is also survived by two sisters-in-law,Verna Moreland and Dolores Moreland, and many nieces and nephews.

Celebration of Life:  7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 25th with visitation from 5:30-7:00 p.m. prior to the service at Smithville First Christian Church

Arrangements by Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Smithville

Donations may be made to the church